Improvement in tooth-picks



to serve for tooth-picks.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GARRET S. BOIGE, OF JERSEY CITY, vNEW' JERSEY.

IMPROVEMENT IN TOOTH-PICKS. i

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 167,733, dated September 14, 1875; application filed Jnnev14; 1875. I

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GARRET S. BoIoE, of Jersey City, in Hudson county, in the State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements Relating to Tooth- Picks, of which the following is a speciiication:

The thinnessand great strength and elas-f ticity of pieces of quill eminently adapt them I have devised a new holder whereby such may be used with great convenience and cleanliness.

The exterior of my holder is of precious metal, or other rich material on the surface, in two lengths, with an internal piece which is protruded and retracted by the revolving of one of the external parts relatively to the other. The internal piece is provided with springs adapted to iit tightly to and firmly hold a piece of quill, which serves as the toothpick proper.

The accompanying drawing forms a part of this specification, and represents what I consider the best means of carrying out the invention.

Figure 1 is a central longitudinal section representing my tooth-pick holder and toothpick in an extended condition. Fig. 2 is a face view of the quill tooth-pick removed.

Referring to the drawing, A is one partof the external case, and B is another, capable of revolving thereon. The interior of the part A is grooved with a spiral or helical recess, a. To the part B is firmly attached a long internal tube, 0,'which extends the length of A and B, a'nd is headed or hanged outward at the rear end to engage in a corresponding re- I cess, and hold the partstogether. ,The tube C has a long straight slot, c. v D is a shorter tube, fitted loosely inside of the part C, and provided with two strong springs, d1 d2, soldered at each end to the interior of the tube D, and adapted to take a rm hold on the tooth-pick E all along the middle of their length.V G is a screw-pin, tapped through the tube D, and through one or both the springs d1 a2, so as to take a Iirm hold of the part D v On revolving the part B on the part A, the

slot c compels the internal part D to turn around with it 5 and by the action of the spiral groove a on the pin G, draws inward the part D and the attached tooth-pick E. Revolving in the opposite direction thrusts the toothpick immediately out, and renders it available for its ordinary uses My tooth-pick holder may hold suitable pieces adapted to serve in the manner described, which may be other than quill. I propose especially to use rubber and whalebone. I believe I can use these materials successfully, as also probably ivory, and perhaps some metals 5 but for ordinary uses I believe quill will generally be preferred. It should be as long as will be entirely concealed when rst inserted. As the end becomes frayed and destroyed, it may be partially drawn out by force from between the springs d1 d2, and the worn end may then be repointed.

It may be formed with a point at each end, as shown in Fig. 2, if preferred, and may be reversed when worn out.

The curved springs d1 d2, set as shown, in the movable tube D, and inclosed within the parts A B G, so as to be thrust out and withdrawn at pleasure, as specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand. GARRET S. BOIGE. Witnesses:

WM. (l. DEY, HENRY GENTNER. 

